Best Bike tours in Maui

If you like to ride a bike, you will be able to tour the best of Maui by pedaling. You will get to know incredible places with an unparalleled sense of freedom.

Verónica Álvarez

Verónica Álvarez

9 min read

Best Bike tours in Maui

Biking in Maui | ©Gordon Baldwin

The varied geography of the island, its climate and beautiful landscapes invite you to tour the island by various means of transportation. Helicopter, jeep, kayak, bicycle, the options are many, as are many things to see and do in Maui.

I will tell you in this article how is a bike tour of Haleakala, one of the areas you can not miss in Maui and one of the most emblematic places of the archipelago.

The most original option

Maui Haleakala Volcano Self-Guided Bike Tour

A guided bike tour at sunrise in the Haleakala region

You will tour Haleakala, one of the best places in all of Hawaii, on a comfortable bicycle. You will observe a magnificent sunrise from the top of a volcano and then descend to Paia Bay to enjoy the ocean.

Recommended if... you like biking and you are in good physical condition. On this tour you will bike over 42 km from Haleakala National Park at over 3000 meters above sea level and then ride down to the ocean at Paia Bay, where you will have time to swim at the beach.

While watching the sunrise at the crater of the volcano you will hear the singing of the locals welcoming the sun and you will have time to ride around the crater before starting the way back.

What will you see on this type of excursion?

Haleakala National Park| ©Ignat Gorazd
Haleakala National Park| ©Ignat Gorazd

The volcano that gives its name to Haleakala National Park has been dormant for more than 500 years and is one of the main attractions of Maui, as it is home to breathtaking scenery, cliffs, waterfalls and bamboo forests. This excursion includes the entrance to the park from where you can see one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world. The protection of the place requires prior reservation by the park itself, so it is highly recommended to go with an organized tour, because if you go on your own you must ask for authorization well in advance.

Once the first rays of sun begin to appear on the horizon, the show is served, as the colors of nature will merge between the slopes of the volcano dotted with unique flora and fauna. I assure you that the early start will have been worth it.

After contemplating one of the must-see sights on your trip to Maui, the sunrise over the volcano, a fascinating tour of Haleakala National Park awaits you that you will hardly forget.

Jacaranda trees in bloom, microclimates, you will have views and breathe a magical air.

You will go down and making stops throughout the tour, such as those made in the gift store of Kula, within the park itself, or in the historic town of Makawao, located on the slope of the volcano and where you can visit some art stores or restaurants.

All this while the local guide will explain every detail of the tour while giving you enough time to go taking the best pictures. In addition, the groups of no more than 12 people on this tour allow you to make the descent comfortably.

Book a bike tour in Maui

Can these tours be done with children?

Bike Tour| ©Donald Simonds
Bike Tour| ©Donald Simonds

The Haleakala bike tour requires a medium level of fitness, so it is suitable for people who have a good handling of the bike, but as it is a relatively easy descent it is not a huge effort.

However, this activity is restricted to children under 12 years old and also to those who have a height of less than 5 feet. So if you are traveling as a family with children outside this range, I recommend that you consider other options to do in Maui with kids.

If your children are within the age and height allowance and you decide to take them with you to ride while you take in the incredible views this tour has to offer, I recommend that you bring them prepared with warm clothes. You can experience really low temperatures at sunrise at the top of the volcano crater. Even more if you travel to Maui in winter.

Also, the tour includes snacks and water but considering its duration, 8 hours, it is advisable to bring something to eat or try to locate a restaurant at one of the stops where you can recharge your batteries.

The best thing about this tour is that it includes transfers to and from the hotel. So if you end up tired, don't worry, once the bike tour is over, you and your family will be taken back to the hotel, where you can rest and recover from the ride.

Book a Maui bike tour

Other Maui Bike Tours

South Maui Bike Tour| ©Robert H
South Maui Bike Tour| ©Robert H

There are a variety of excursions to tour Maui by bike. Considering that the geography and the nature that characterizes the island invite you to tour it by bike, I recommend that you take a look at the different options available because the offer is wide.

There are providers that have bike routes in which, for a little more money, lunch is also included. But if what you feel like is to take a ride on pedals and combine it with other activities such as snorkeling or hiking, there are other options that may interest you more. Let's take a look at the most outstanding ones:

Haleakala National Park bike tour with lunch

This 7-hour tour with descents and ascents of up to 25% elevation gain is recommended for people who are used to cycling. You will have spectacular views all along the way and you will visit unique sites such as Kula, Keokea and Ulupalakua. For about 350 euros, lunch, fresh fruit and isotonic drinks are included, as well as transfers, so you won't have to worry about a thing!

South Maui Bike Tour with Snorkeling

Maui has a lot of activities to offer and you might like to take advantage of a tour to do other types of sports. For that reason, I recommend you to check out the self-guided tours that include an electric bike tour and stops at the different beaches in the south. There, from about 70 euros approximately, you can snorkel or relax in the sun watching the panoramic views offered by the beautiful Hawaiian beaches, such as Kamaole or Wailea.

West Maui Bike Tour with Hiking

Take a walk on a unique trail through Kapalua, then snorkel or swim in the beautiful beaches of the West with the incredible Hawaiian wildlife and finish the tour on foot on a unique lava tongue on the island, Dragon's Teeth. All this is possible in an excursion of about 6 hours in which you will not miss anything of the West Coast of Maui. With your electric bike and your snorkeling equipment and for a price starting at about 70 euros, you will reach the most hidden corners of the island.

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How to book a bike tour in Maui

Booking online| ©Porapak Apichodilok
Booking online| ©Porapak Apichodilok

If you plan to do a bike tour in Maui you can book it online at any of the companies specialized in selling tours, experiences and tour packages. In Hellotickets you have the most complete option and in a very simple way you can book the Haleakala sunrise bike tour.

Simply select the day you want to do the tour, the adults who are going to participate, click on book and then you will see the detailed program with the pick up place, the stops and everything you will see on your trip to Haleakala Park.

An important advantage of booking online is that you ensure the availability of the tour you choose on the selected date. If, on the other hand, you wait until you get to Maui to buy your tours, you will probably not find a place because the current trend is to book well in advance.

Another great advantage of booking online is the ease of payment. You can do it with credit or debit card and have more flexibility to manage the budget available for your trip.

By booking online the different activities and tours to do in Maui, you will have the possibility to evaluate the companies that provide the services and help other travelers like you to make the best decisions.

Book a Maui bike tour

Duration of the bike tours in Maui

During the Tour| ©Damian R
During the Tour| ©Damian R

The amount of time you will need to spend on your Maui bike tour will depend a lot on the places included in the itinerary.

For example, for a complete tour of Haleakala, including a visit to the volcano crater and Paia Bay, you will need at least eight hours because it is a demanding tour.

However, you can find more basic tours suitable for beginners in which the time is significantly less, about 2 to 3 hours.

If in addition to biking, you are fond of other sports, you can do other sports activities such as kayaking tours in Maui or snorkeling excursions. In all these activities you will have the advice of specialized guides.

Book a snorkeling experience in Maui

How much does a Maui bike tour cost?

Money in Euros| ©Pixabay
Money in Euros| ©Pixabay

The price of the bike tours will depend on the duration of the tour and the places you will visit during the tour. It will also depend on the services provided along the tour, for example, if lunch or any other meal is included.

To give you a rough idea of prices, keep in mind that a full 8-hour Haleakala National Park tour, including entrance to the crater, water and snacks, costs around 225 euros per person.

Another great way to see Haleakala Crater is from the air on one of the Maui helicopter tours.

Book a helicopter tour of Maui

What are the advantages of taking a guided Maui bike tour or biking around Maui on my own?

Bike around Maui| ©Letícia Smania Donanzan
Bike around Maui| ©Letícia Smania Donanzan

The island of Maui has many places worth visiting, some well known and others that are real hidden gems that only locals know about.

If this is your first visit to Maui, you will want to see as many places of interest as possible and to do so you will need a local guide who knows the island.

One of the biggest advantages of taking a guided bike tour of Maui is the experience of the guide who will accompany you and will be able to tell you details about the attractions you will be visiting.

Opting for a guided tour also gives you another advantage, safety along the way. The local guides will take you through the safest paths, which you will not know if it is your first visit to the island.

Also, in case of bad weather or rain they will guide you through the less dangerous paths. Keep in mind that if it rains there are many alternative activities for rainy days in Maui.

Don't hesitate to reschedule your bike tour if the weather is bad (check with your guide about the possibility of reserving another day) and do some other tour that is recommended for rainy weather.

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Tips for a bike tour in Maui

Comfortable Shoes| ©Kindel Media
Comfortable Shoes| ©Kindel Media

If you have already decided the best time to visit Maui and booked a bike tour around the island, keep in mind the following tips: - Before starting the tour, test the bike and make sure everything works perfectly.

  • Wear appropriate clothing and keep in mind that at the top of the crater you will be more than 3000 meters above sea level and temperatures are lower, take some warm clothes.
  • Wear shoes suitable for cycling.
  • Always wear a helmet, the companies provide helmets with the bicycles. If you don't get one, ask for it.
  • Remember to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
  • Even if you are given water on the tour, bring your own because the routes are long and you must stay hydrated.
  • Respect your guide's indications and obey the traffic signs.
  • Always stay with your group.

Book a bike tour in Maui

Other things to do in Maui

Maui| ©Kahunapule Michael
Maui| ©Kahunapule Michael

Whether you have five days to get to know Maui or a whole week on the island, the adventure has just begun and, after doing one of the best bike tours through its beautiful landscapes, you still have time to enjoy many other activities.

If you like to explore nature on foot and get to know its corners first hand, don't miss this post about The best hiking tours in Maui. However, once you've biked part of the island, you may feel like driving a jeep on a tour of Maui.

But you can also explore its crystal clear waters with the best boat rides and see the incredible views offered by entering the amazing waterfalls of Maui.

Endless activities await you in this unique paradise. The hard part will be choosing...

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